The Hindu Business Line : Karizma offers a sportier ride

I am interested in buying a powerful bike and a used luxury sedan. As for the bike, I am considering the Bajaj Pulsar 180 DTS-i and the Hero Honda Karizma. Since I own a 2001-year model Hero Honda CBZ disc brake version in Chennai, I will be trading this in for the new bike. Which of the above two bikes do you recommend taking into account all the usual factors — quality, reliability, riding comfort, mileage, cost of service, spare parts, performance etc.?

I am also interested in getting a used luxury car — probably the older model Opel Astra 1.6 Club. Other options could be a Mitsubishi Lancer SFXi or SLXi, and the older Honda City 1.5 VTEC (2000-2003). Can you indicate the approximate prices of these cars and your take on which outlets would be the best to shop for used cars?

I have read that My TVS Quality Used Cars is quite a reliable place to buy in Chennai, with two outlets and a fairly good reputation.

Venkat Gopalan

Both the Hero Honda Karizma and the Bajaj Pulsar 180 DTS-i would rank at par for some of the parameters that you have listed, including overall quality levels, reliability and mileage (though the Karizma features a bigger, 225cc, engine compared to the Pulsar's 180cc mill).

The Karizma offers a sportier ride and also features a slightly low slung handle bar and a raised pillion seat format for giving the rider the feel of a race bike. The ride position in the Karizma is also more stretched forward due to its longer wheelbase of 1355mm compared to the Pulsar's 1,330mm.

The Pulsar 180 DTS-i, on the other hand, features a more upright riding posture, not different to its smaller-engine twin, and relatively lower rear/pillion seat.

Both the bikes come with alloy wheels and in snazzy colours. The Pulsar, however, features a number of proprietary technologies that Bajaj has employed, including dual spark-plugs, the TRICS III throttle response ignition system and the ExhausTEC system for better low-end torque. But, despite improvements introduced recently, the gearbox in the Pulsar will continue to be less refined than the Karizma's. Your decision will also have to be made taking into account the Rs 13,000 higher price tag of the Karizma, though you may get a marginally better trade-in price for your old CBZ if you opt for the Karizma.

As for the used car, the Opel Astra 1.6 Club will be a tantalising proposition due to its low price in the second-hand car market, but it still may be a bad choice given the high maintenance costs and spares prices. The same would apply to the Mitsubishi Lancer, though relatively speaking it will be lower than the Opel. The Honda City VTEC or the old City 1.5 (if you are not too focused on performance) may be the better option to choose. My TVS, Ford Assured and T. S. Mahalingam & Sons are outlets that will be able to offer you quality used cars, though the prices may tend to be marginally higher than the ones you will be able to find in the unorganised used car market.

I would like to buy a used car and the following are my primary expectations from the vehicle: the fuel economy/efficiency should be at least 17 kmpl and the car should at least have an air-conditioner and power steering; it should be a low maintenance car and my usage is likely to be for three-four years; my budget is about Rs 2.5 lakh.

T. V. Sridhara

Based on your expectations, the only car that can even attempt to come close to matching them all will be the Maruti Suzuki Alto LXi. The Alto LXi features the same 800cc engine that is offered in the Maruti 800.

This engine can come up with fuel efficiency of about 17 kmpl on the highway and though a number close to that should be possible even in city driving conditions, it finally depends on actual road conditions and driving style.

The Alto LXi also offers a fairly effective air-conditioner and power steering as part of the package. Maintenance costs should be low, though it may be marginally higher than the Maruti 800's promise of extremely low maintenance charges. It should be possible to locate a two-year old Maruti Alto LXi with lesser than 50,000 km on the odo within your shopping budget of Rs 2.5 lakh.

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